|
WADDLES THE DUCK TO THROW 1ST PITCH AT AUGUST 30TH DAYTON DRAGONS GAME
Dayton Area Red Cross Chapter's Mascot Supports Aquatic Safety
Dayton, Ohio, August 29 , 2007 - The Dayton Area Chapter of the American Red Cross proudly announces that its bright-yellow, seven-foot tall aquatic safety mascot, Waddles the Duck, will throw the 1st pitch at Fifth Third Field on Thursday, August 30th at 7:00pm. Joining Heater and Gem, Waddles will support the Dayton Dragons as they take the field against the Lansing Lugnuts.
Appearing at community events throughout the Miami Valley, the goal of tall Waddles is to promote aquatics health and safety among the citizens of Greater Dayton. Specifically, the mascot's role is to focus attention on increasing participation in swim classes and to raise awareness regarding the importance of lifeguards and constant supervision at public and private pools in Dayton and the surrounding area.
- Next to Motor vehicle occupant injury, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death in children under 14 years of age.
- If the incidence of drowning is to be reduced further, greater attention to prevention, including the staffing and training of lifeguards, is essential.
- An effective lifeguard makes scores of preventive actions, such as warning an individual away from a dangerous area and suggesting that poor swimmers stay in shallow water.
- Lifeguards rescue more than an estimated 100,000 persons from drowning annually.
"Waddles the Duck is available to the Chapter thanks to the generosity of our corporate partners at LexisNexis," stated Tom Fodor, CEO, American Red Cross Dayton Area Chapter. "The Red Cross could not achieve its local mission without the support of our area residents, businesses, political leaders and non-profit organizations. The awareness that Waddles is generating for aquatics safety is immeasurable."
“LexisNexis is pleased to support the water safety efforts of the Dayton Area Chapter of the American Red Cross,” said LexisNexis Cares Director, Selene Edmunds. “Our company has a long tradition of supporting the Dayton region and through our ongoing relationship with the Red Cross, we support their work to make this community a better place to live and work."
Waddles is a character in the Red Cross Learn to Swim program. Having a mascot accompany Red Cross/AmeriCorps Workers while teaching, “Whale Tales” will be something kids will remember and talk about, in hopes of creating a buzz of excitement enticing them to take the swimming lessons. Students of the Whale Tales program will receive a flier with Waddles' picture and all the local pools and phone numbers that offer Learn to Swim lessons. Waddles will also attend community health fairs and other festivals. Red Cross chapters that have implemented mascot programs have significantly increased their aquatic numbers by thousands within their communities.
The Waddles Program :
- Teaches kids how to swim and reduce drowning.
- Attracts pools to teach the “Learn to Swim” classes, giving them income to remain open.
- Increases kids participation in aquatics and in becoming future lifeguards.
About the American Red Cross, Dayton Area Chapter
The Dayton Area Chapter of the American Red Cross provides disaster preparedness and response, and health and safety education to residents of Montgomery, Greene and Preble counties, as well as assistance to families with members in the military. The Chapter also operates Emergency Housing Programs in Montgomery and Greene counties, and led by volunteers, responds to more than 200 local disaster incidents each year.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of local disasters in Montgomery, Greene and Preble counties by making a financial gift to the Dayton Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 517, Dayton, Ohio, 45401, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Internet users can make a secure online donation at www.dac.redcross.org.
|
